Grazing could reduce fire risk: Nationals

Senator Williams believes fuel loads could be reduced if farmers were allowed to graze their cattle in the state's national parks.

ABC

A Nationals Senator has reignited debate about grazing in national parks arguing it will help reduce the risk of bushfires.

Senator John Williams says the recent fires across New South Wales show that fuel loads in national parks need to be managed more effectively.

He says there should be no issue letting farmers graze their cattle in parks.

"The problem in our national parks is that when we have these savage fires with these huge amounts of fuel per hectare, we're killing the trees, we're killing the animals, the koalas and those that live in these areas and they call it conservation," he said.

"In many respects, the national parks are not conserved because of the way that they're managed."

Senator Williams says grazing would deliver more benefits than just a reduced risk of bushfires.

"I've been on this issue for many years now and with the dry season now, with the way it's shaping up, extra fodder for our stock would be a very good thing," he said.

"I even notice now that we're seeing cattle on the roads, grazing the stock routes because there's a real concern of the dry time continuing and a lack of fodder for our livestock."